Opposite Side of The Spectrum

"Nighthawkwill7, Hoon Depot Manager" (Nighthawkwill7) 08/04/2013 at 02:25 • Filed to: None

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Oppo for a couple of years now, I've suspected that I have Asperger's. I want to get an official diagnosis, just to be sure but I have no idea how to get my family to not think I've gone crazy.

I've taken just about every online test there is on the subject and they all point to me being on the Aspie side of the Force. Here is a graph showing the results of the last test I took.

I just want to know, officially. Once and for all.

Anon > Nighthawkwill7, Hoon Depot Manager 08/04/2013 at 02:51

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My doctor thinks I have Aspergers. I never really have gone to see someone about it. I mean it really does make sense, the only two real things I take an intrest in are cars and anime. I mean that's not to say that I don't have any other interests, I like swimming, biking, and reading. If I do have it, it's a mild case. I just don't let some disorder define who I am.

Don't make this sound like I'm telling you to tough through it! I just don't have a very sevear case of it. I would reccomed seeing a doctor if you feel like you need to!

Blondude > Nighthawkwill7, Hoon Depot Manager 08/04/2013 at 03:20

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Holy crap me to a T. About a year ago I was talking to my grandma about (something?) and the topic of Asperger's came up when she mentioned that she had always had a feeling I might have it. I thought about it for a couple months but didn't really know what it entailed so on a whim I looked up the symptoms. It was like reading a description of myself. I looked further into over a few months but never mentioned anything to my family thinking they'd just think I'd lost my mind. A while later (last April specifically) I mentioned it to my mom in a conversation and she then told me she had known I had Asperger's since sixth freaking grade but thought the diagnosis was "wrong" so she basically ignored it. Yeah, I was pissed and I'm still not 100% sure.

And now I'm sitting here thinking "Did I really just type that all up?". Eh, there's my life story. :/

Nighthawkwill7, Hoon Depot Manager > Blondude 08/04/2013 at 03:21

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Family sometimes doesn't help out.

Blondude > Nighthawkwill7, Hoon Depot Manager 08/04/2013 at 03:23

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Tell me about it.

TheOnelectronic > Nighthawkwill7, Hoon Depot Manager 08/04/2013 at 04:40

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I've often wondered about this, since I do have several of the markers. Mainly, I cannot interpret social cues to save my life. Social events are just prolonged mimicry for me. Secondarily, I am extremely obsessive. Once I set my mind to something, it gets done. It's why I can spend 12 hours a day for two months making a car for a video game, but an hour of homework makes me feel like my brain is going to combust.

But I've always rebelled against the idea, because it just seems like too convenient, and "the internet" has latched onto it that way. People think of it as some label that excuses their poor social skills while at the same time implying that they're just so smart that they can't handle the rest of society.

That's not to say that it's made up, or fake, or that I'm trying to shame you out of it, or anything. That's just my warped perspective: seeing people using it as an excuse has caused me to actively resist the idea.

I've known some straight-up autistic kids, and damn. That's not a "maybe" thing.

Oh, and as to an "official" diagnosis, the DSM just recently removed it as a recognized condition. I think, though, it was just shuffled back into the desk of "Autism Spectrum Disorder."

In the end, though, if you suspect there's something that is not quite right or even just inconvenient , find a good psychiatrist and talk with him or her. I resisted dealing with my depression for years. (Literally, like 8 god damn years) Once things started improving, though, it felt like "Holy shit, THIS is how everyone else feels!?"

Naturally any sort of Autistic thing isn't going to benefit from medication (to my knowledge), but the therapeutic side of things, just talking to someone who knows how to lead you down the various mental paths, can make a huge improvement.

DrivesaCorolla > TheOnelectronic 08/04/2013 at 07:46

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I myself have ADHD, which very much tends towards the obsessive side of things, I'll see about taking one of these tests and compare results with above, obviously they're not a true diagnosis or anything, but now that I've seen this my curiosity is piqued, and well... that means I won't stop obsessing til I've at least satisfied some of it.

Being too smart to handle the rest of society is just an excuse, in my book. Testing as gifted has never been a hindrance to my own social situation. While yes, it does tend to make me a bit awkward because I think too much about some things during conversations, and rather overpowering to others, its not an excuse I tend to accept either.

Nighthawkwill7, Hoon Depot Manager > TheOnelectronic 08/04/2013 at 09:52

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I don't find the social aspects difficult, but I do find my fixations to be almost crippling. My mind cannot handle anything outside my field of interest for more than a moment.

I always feel out of touch with the world, not saying I can't relate to others but I feel out of place. The biggest problem is academic progress. I love aviation and I am aspiring to be an airline pilot, but to be one I need a degree and I just can't seem to find anything that holds my interest. I honestly to give a damn about what college has to offer. I can't handle that environment because to me, school feels like being in prison. To get a job in the only career field I want means I don't have a choice, but I've struggled on and off with college for the last five years.

m2m, apex detective > Nighthawkwill7, Hoon Depot Manager 08/04/2013 at 09:59

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Hmmm.

If you really want to know, there's likely a way to officially find out. Keep in mind, though, that your perception of your own performance might be different from what others would think, e.g. you might think you suck at something while others marvel at your abilities et v.v.

Desu-San-Desu > Nighthawkwill7, Hoon Depot Manager 08/04/2013 at 10:29

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My therapist had me take one of these one time and when I asked her what the results were, she said "Well, you don't have asperger's...but you're definitely also not neurotypical."

I asked her what that meant. She said she had no clue.

Nighthawkwill7, Hoon Depot Manager > Desu-San-Desu 08/04/2013 at 10:43

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My test result said that I am very likely an Aspie, 161 out of 200 On the Aspergers.

Nighthawkwill7, Hoon Depot Manager > Desu-San-Desu 08/04/2013 at 10:43

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So what does that make you, lol?

Desu-San-Desu > Nighthawkwill7, Hoon Depot Manager 08/04/2013 at 11:01

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I don't know...just generally insane and neurotic?

Nighthawkwill7, Hoon Depot Manager > Desu-San-Desu 08/04/2013 at 12:00

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Welcome to the fold.

Nighthawkwill7, Hoon Depot Manager > m2m, apex detective 08/04/2013 at 12:14

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I've just suspected for a long time plus several people I know have mentioned it. I'm pretty good with numbers, memorization among other things but I also suck at reading people and some degree of interpersonal interaction.

m2m, apex detective > Nighthawkwill7, Hoon Depot Manager 08/04/2013 at 12:47

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Try to see it this way: you're always somewhere between the extremes. Do you think the definitive knowledge that you either are or aren't a case of Asperger's would alter the way you personally think and/or go through life? Pardon me if this seems a naïve question, I just feel like it would not make much of a difference in the end, much like telling a very tall person "Yup, we've checked the results – you're definitely huge" (read: you probably know much of the answer already). It's about the same thing with hypersensitivity and some other nuisances of similar nature.

That said, I've long felt that being able to classify or tag certain self-observations somehow makes for some alleviation already. After all, how much harm can come from knowing with certainty what you've suspected for so long ... have you ever checked back with a neurologist or someone well-read on the subject?

Dusty Ventures > TheOnelectronic 08/04/2013 at 12:50

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I actually have Asperger's, was diagnosed when I was 11. Most Aspies don't see it as "a label to excuse their poor social skills while at the same time implying that they're just so smart." That's a case of the few giving the many a bad name. Most of us Asparagus work on learning to adapt instead of just claiming it to be the reason we can't. Personally, I still have trouble in social circles and small talk/starting conversation is a huge challenge, but I'm waaaaaaaay better at it than I was 5-10 years ago.

As for medications, I was put on Paxil when I was a teen and it did make a difference. I took myself off it in college mostly out of forgetfulness to take it and partly because I felt I didn't need it anymore.

TheOnelectronic > Nighthawkwill7, Hoon Depot Manager 08/04/2013 at 13:41

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I definitely sympathize with that. I'm barely keeping my head above water because I just can't make myself care about classes.

Can you not attend a pilot-specific college? I know very little about aviation careers and the like, but I do know that we have a college near us that is purely focused on aviation. A degree path that's more focused on your interests could help a lot.

TheOnelectronic > Dusty Ventures 08/04/2013 at 13:49

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Yes, please don't misunderstand: The people I'm referring to are that particular brand of self-diagnosed.

I fully agree with "learning to adapt." I was pretty much "that guy" in school up until High School, when I finally got tired of it and just started mimicing the people who seemed to be well-liked by everyone. Eventually, the lie became the truth.

Also, I'm kind of losing my shit at "Asparagus."

Nighthawkwill7, Hoon Depot Manager > TheOnelectronic 08/04/2013 at 13:57

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I'm trying to save up for one but they are so expensive and I have had great difficulty looking for a job. I go to interviews but never get a call after that... It's becoming increasingly frustrating.

TheOnelectronic > Nighthawkwill7, Hoon Depot Manager 08/04/2013 at 13:59

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Ah, understandable. :\

Good luck!

Nighthawkwill7, Hoon Depot Manager > m2m, apex detective 08/04/2013 at 14:04

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I haven't visited any professionals about the topic yet. It wouldn't change much for me except in helping my family understand why I am "different" so to speak. I'm not looking for an easy button through life, I just want people around me to better understand me.

Dusty Ventures > TheOnelectronic 08/04/2013 at 14:41

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No worries, I hear ya. The self-diagnosed Aspies can indeed be trouble, as can virtually anyone who self-diagnoses themselves with something. And Asparagus is pretty much the greatest term for it ever ;)

Dusty Ventures > Nighthawkwill7, Hoon Depot Manager 08/04/2013 at 14:43

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If you want to be sure I suggest going to someone who specializes in people with Asperger's, not just any therapist. My parents took me to a specialist who was able to diagnose me when I was 11.

Nighthawkwill7, Hoon Depot Manager > Dusty Ventures 08/04/2013 at 14:45

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I am looking for one in my area. I'll see if I can go this week.

m2m, apex detective > Nighthawkwill7, Hoon Depot Manager 08/04/2013 at 15:12

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It's pretty hard to circumnavigate certain conversational topics when you can't just call a spade a spade, I think. While I don't know much about the healthcare systems of other states and countries ... couldn't you simply get a professional's opinion on it without any consequences and without anyone else getting to know about it? :/